Recall 16V178 affects 11,602 2004-2007 Honda Accord vehicles for an incorrect passenger air bag module. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 11,602 2004-2007 Accord vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag module was incorrect and does not meet advanced air bag requirements. The defect raises the risk of injury or death in a crash, and Honda dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag module in a 2004-2007 Honda Accord sits in the dashboard and is meant to protect the front passenger in a frontal crash. It is part of the occupant crash protection system, and the correct module must match the vehicle's advanced air bag requirements.
On affected Accords, the vehicle was assembled with an incorrect passenger frontal air bag module. That means the passenger air bag system does not match the required design for that vehicle. The issue is not wear from driving. It traces back to which module was installed when the car was built.
There is no warning sign before failure. The dashboard can look normal, and the vehicle can drive normally, because the problem is the specific air bag module installed at assembly.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 model years, all tied to the same front passenger air bag inflator module.
| 2005 Honda Accord | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2006 Honda Accord | front air bag |
| 2007 Honda Accord | front air bag |
| 2004 Honda Accord | front air bag |
| Units affected | 11,602 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, an air bag module that does not meet advanced air bag requirements can increase the risk of injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer inspection soon and ask Honda whether the module needs replacement. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2007 Honda Accord is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag module inspection and replacement for any incorrect module.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V178 and Honda recall JZ3 when you call.
- Ask the dealer to confirm the passenger-side air bag module work is complete before you drive away.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician inspects the passenger frontal air bag module and replaces it as necessary. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under recall 16V178. Honda has a standard reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same air bag module repair. Keep receipts and repair paperwork, and ask Honda customer service or the dealer how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| March 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 30, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| May 2, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 5, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 5, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V178?
Recall 16V178 covers 11,602 2004-2007 Honda Accord vehicles built with an incorrect passenger frontal air bag module. The module does not meet advanced air bag requirements under FMVSS 208, occupant crash protection. Honda dealers will inspect the module and replace it if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2007 Honda Accord is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Accord is included in recall 16V178. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag module inspection. Reference recall 16V178 or Honda recall JZ3 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Honda will inspect and replace the passenger frontal air bag module if needed free of charge at any franchised Honda dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The passenger frontal air bag module does not meet advanced air bag requirements. In a crash, that increases the risk of injury or death for the front passenger. The remedy is inspection and replacement of the air bag module if needed at a Honda dealer.
What if I bought my Honda Accord used?
The free recall repair still applies. A recall follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm your exact Accord is included, then call a franchised Honda dealer and give recall number 16V178 or Honda recall JZ3.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V178000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-800-999-1009 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V178 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V178000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →